Autoplane.



G. W. VAN WINKLE.

AUTOPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED 00127. 1909.

974,846, Patented Nov. 8, 1910.

3 SHEETS-8111113731.

0. W. VAN QWINKLE.

AUTOPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.7. 1909.

Patented Nov. 8, 1910.

3 BHEETS-BHEET 2.

G. W. VAN WINKLB.

AUTOPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED 0017. 1909.

974,846, Patented Nov. 8, 1910 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

CHARLES W. VAN WINKLE, OF WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALFTO ROBERT CONKLIN, OF PLEASANTVILLE, NEW YORK.

AUTOPLANE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 8, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES W. VAN WINKLE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at'VVhite Plains, in the county of Vestchester andState of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAutoplanes, of which the following is a specification, reference beingbad to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in flyingmachines, and

has for its object to provide a plurality of aeroplanes suitably mountedand supported and comprising a longitudinal plane and a plurality ofsuperposed transversely positioned planes, the frame being mounted upona wheeled carrier which is adapted to move over the ground and impartthe initial flight impulse to the machine.

Anotherobject is to provide alfiying machine which is of suchconstruction that the necessity of providing a starting incline isobviated, the machine carrying its own starting and propelling mechanismand having means for preventing the falling of the machine during itsflight. H

A further object is to provide a machine of this character consisting ofa longitudinal plane and superposed transverse planes, at the end ofeach of which an oscillatory wing or blade is pivotally mounted,suitable operating 'means being connected thereto and extending to theoperators seat, whereby said..wings may be adjusted to direct the flightof the machine and to retain its vertical and transverse equilibrium inthe air.

A still further ob ect is to provide a flying machine of the aeroplanetype wherein a plurality of propellers are provided having featheringblades, means being provided whereby a number of the blades of thepropellers on each side of the machine may be simultaneously feathered.

A still further object is to provide a vertically Jositioned pivotallymounted wing located beneath the forward transverse aeroplane, said wingbeing transversely movable to maintain the machine in its propervertical position in adverseair currents.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists of thenovel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafterfully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which cline from an elevated position.

'on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a detail horizontal section taken onthe line 44 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 1s an enlarged detail side elevationillustrating the means for feathering the propeller blades; and Fig. 6is a similar view showing the means for angular-1y positioning thelateral equalizingwlngs. I

In the ordinary construction of flying machines wherein one or moreaeroplanes are employed, the. machine is sustained in the air by reasonof the contact between the air and the under surface of the aeroplanes.The movement of the machine is derived from the Wind blowing in theopposite direction to that in which the machine is traveling togetherwith the forward movement of the machine as it is started down an in- Itis the object of the present invention to eliminate the necessity foremploying this starting incline, and to provide a machine which carriesits own starting and propelling means. To this end I provide thecarrying and supporting frame 5 in which the motor 6 is mounted.Traction wheels 7 and8 are rotatably mounted beneath the opposite endsof this frame, the power being applied thereto from the motor by meansof the longitudinally extending shaft 9 which is provided at one endwith a frictionwheel 10 engaged with the periphery of the flying wheel11. The rear end of the shaft 9-has secured thereon a bevel gear whichis engaged with a similar gear on the rear wheel shaft, thus propellingthe machine over the ground. The forward steering wheels 8 are operatedby the steering rod 12 through the connections, 13. The rod 12is'provided with a hand wheel located in close proximity to theoperators seat 14:.

Secured to the carrying frame 5 at its opposite sides and adjacent tothe ends thereof are the uprights 15. Extending laterally from theseuprights is the longitudinal aeroplane 16, the frame of which extendsbetween and is rigidly secured to the uprights 15. The aeroplane 16 ispreferably formed by stretching and securing cloth or canvas between theframe bars, the inner ends of the canvas being secured to thetransversely extending bars 17. The frame bars 17 protrude beyond theframe of the aeroplane 16 and have secured thereto the short wings orrudders 18 which are adapted to assist the machine in kee ing its propervertical position during flig t. To the upper ends of the uprights 15the transversely extending frame bars 19 are secured to which aresecured the cloth or other fabric 20 thus constituting a lateral superosed aeroplane which extends a considerab e distance beyond the ends ofthe short win s 18. At the opposite ends of the frame ars of theaeroplane 16 the vertical posts 21 are secured, tothe upper ends ofwhich are secured the transverse frame bars 22 which are of less lengththan the bars 19. Canvas or cloth is also secured to the bars 22 thusproviding the superposed transverse aeroplanes 23. The aeroplanes 20 and23 are preferably in the same horizontal plane although of course it iswithin the scope of my invention to alter the respective positions ofthese planes in any manner which may be'later found more desirable. Thevarious frame elements are connected by the truss rods 24, which alsoconnect and support the various planes on the carrying frame 5.

The above constitutes the basic elements of the machine, and I will nowspecifically describe the manner in which the machine is elevated inthe-air and sustained in proper equilibrium during its flight. It willbe noted that the material comprisingthe main longitudinal aeroplane andthe'transverse aero lanes terminates short of the ends of the rame bars.Between the extremities of the bars of. the longitudinal aeroplane, aflight directing wing 25 is pivoted upon a transverse connecting rod 26,and is adjustable between the 'frame bars to angularly position thesewings with relation to the direction of flight of the machine. Forreasons which are obvious these wings are separately adjustable, thespecific construction of such adjusting means being capable of a widerange of modification. Inv the drawings, however, I have illustratedwhat I believe to be the preferred arrangement of such adjusting meanswhich comprises a rack and lever 26 mounted upon the carrying frame 5 injuxtaposition to the operators seat 14. One of these operating levers isdisposed upon each sideof the seat and is pivoted between its ends uponthe rack segment. To the lower extremity of the lever one end of a rod27 is secured, the opposite endof which is pivotally connected to a bellcrank 28. A link rod 29 connects the horizontal arm of the bell crank tothe upper end of an angular extension 30 on the inner end of alongitudinal rock shaft 31 which is mounted in suitable bearings 32 onthe frame of the aeroplane 16. The outer end of each of these rodsisinwardly extended at a right angle as shown at 33 and and the functionof such construction will hereinafter appear. Wings 35 similar to thewings 25 are pivotally mounted upon the connecting shaft 36 in the endsof the transverse frame bars 1!) and 22. These wings are also angularlyadjustable such adjustment being accom plished in the following manner:It will be noted that the Wings 35 uponopposite sides of thelongitudinal aeroplane 16 are individually operable, although each setof wings beyond the ends of the transverse aeroplane are simultaneouslyadjustable. As the operating means is precisely the same in eachinstance, the detail description of one will sufiice for both. Arack-and lever 37 is mounted on the carrying frame 5 adj acent to theoperators seat, said lever being connected by a link 38 at itslower endto a connecting rod 39, the upper end ofwhich is pivoted to the angularinner end of a transverse shaft 40, the outer end of which is engaged inthe vertical upright 15. A bell crank 41 is carried by or may be formedintegrally with the shaft 40 to the horizontal arm of which theconnecting rod 42 is secured and extends upwardly and is pivot-allyengaged with the angular extremity of the transverse-rock shaft 43, theouter end of which is' extended at right angles and slottedto receivethe pin 44 secured in the wing 35. The connecting rod 42, however, onlyrocks the shaft 43 connected to the central wings. In order tosimultaneously operate the wings of the end aeroplanes, the vertical armof the bell crank 41 is connected by means of the rod 45 to a bell crank46 mounted on one of the frame posts 21, the horizontal arm of the bellcrank 46 being connected to the crank of the transverse shaft 47 bymeans of the vertical connecting rod 48,.the outer end of the rock shaftbeingconnecte'd to the Wing 35 as above described. Thus it will be seenthat when the operating lever,ismanipulated the rock shafts 43 and 47will be rotated through the medium of the connecting rods.

39, 42, 45 and 48 to angularly position the .wings 35 upon one side ofthe machim.

This adjustment of the wings may be instantly and simultaneouslyaccomplished to H assist-in the elevation of the same, I provideajilurality of propellers it) upon the opposite, sides of the machineThe propellers on each Side of the longitudinal vertical center of themachine are arranged in transverse alinement upon the opposite ends of acommon shaft 50. These propellers each coinprises a plurality offeathering blades-51,

the blades of-each of the propellers being simultaneously feathered. Ieffect this resuit by providing a central vertical shalt 52, the lowerend of which is geared to the. motor shaft as shown at the upper endcarrying a miter gear 54 which engages with a similar gear 55 carried bythe transverse shaft 56. Upon the opposite ends of the shaft 56 a gear57 is secured which engages with the gear 58 upon the end of thelongitudinal shaft 59. The shafts 59 are rotated on op osite sides ofthe machine and are each prov] ed with a mltergea '60 at its outer enderably similar to that shown in the priorappliciition for atent filed byme March 27, 1909, Serial 0. 486,257, allowed Septenr ber 21, 1909.Theconstruction of this blade feathering mechanism willtherefore notbehere set forth in detail, but the means by which this mechanism isactuated will now be specifically set forth.

Each pair of'propellers located on opposite sides of the machine andbetween the transverse aeroplanes as shown in Fig. 1, have their bladessimultaneously feathered, such feathering mechanism being of suchconstruction that any desired number of blades on each ropeller may befeathered. In order to easily and quickly feather the impeller blades Tprovide a rack (32 carried by the frame 5 upon which the primaryoperating lever (53 is pivoted, said lever carrying a suitable springactuated dog for engagement with the teeth of the rack. Upon theopposite sides of this lever a rack (A is secured 'to which the bellcrank lever (35 is pivoted. The horizontal arm of this lever isconnected by av rod (56 to the corresponding arm of a bell crank ()7 thevertical arm of which has movable connection with' a longitudinallymovable bar or rod (38 the opposite ends of which are connected to anarm (39 which actuates the blade feathering mechanism. This arm isprovided with a slot for the reception of the pin 71 in the end of thebar (38. By employing such construction for feathering the propellerblades it will be ol'ivious that the ends in the frame bars.

fixed to the of the propellers. will be obtained. \Vhen it is desired tochange the feathering point of the propeller blades on each side of themachine simultaneously, the lever (33 is manipulated wherebythelongitudinally disposed bars (38 are moved in unison, the auxiliarylevers (35 being locked on the primary lever (33. When, however, it isdesired to change the feathering point of the propeller blades upon onlyone side of the machine, one of the levers 65 may be released fromlocking engagement with the rack 64 to move the connectionsbetween thesame and the longitudinally movable bar 68.

A vertical wing 72 is disposed between the transverse aeroplane at theforward end of the machine and the longitudinal aeroplane 10. This winis pivoted upon a vertical rod 7 3 mounted at its upper and lower At therear end of the wing 72, the,ends of suitable operating cables 74 aresecured, said cables extending around the vertical supporting post 2.1and having their other ends connected to the member 75 which is adaptedto be grasped by the operator to swing the wing 72 trans-' verselybetwee1i tl1c aeroplanes. By such construction the liability ofthemachine to be tipped overby a heavy gust of wind striking upon oneside of the machine will be avoided, as the wing may be moved to. theposition shownin dotted .lines in Fig. i, thus breaking the force of thewind and righting the machine. The short central tansverse wings 18 willassist the wing 72 in maintaining the proper equilibrium of the machinedurin its flight. The wings 18 are frame structure and in addition toassisting the wing 72 in balancing the machine, they also increasethestabilit y of the structure, and relieve the central transverse planeof considerable" strain.

In operation, when the motor (3 is operated the traction wheels 7 and 8will move the machine over the ground, and when sufdicicnt momentum hasbeen acquired the tiltable wings 25 at the opposite ends of thelongitudinal aeroplane are angularly adjusted to receive the impact ofthe air cur rents and direct the for\vard.eml of the machine upwardly.The wings are then turned to their normal horizontal position so'thatthe entire machine will move in a horizontal plane during its flightafter a sufficient elevation has been attained. The pro )ellers 45) aresimultaneously rotated upon the operation of the motor, the blades beingfeathered during their rotation to direct the air against the undersurface of the aeroplanes to the greatest advantage without impeding theforward progress of the machine thus greatly increasing the buoyancy ofthe matwings 35 at t. e ends of the transverse aeroaccomplishing a twofold function and! chine to overcome .the weight of the motor and thewin operating mechanisms. The

planes are now positioned in accordance with the direction in which thewind may be blowing, and together with the lateral wings 18 willmaintain the equilibrium of the machine and sustain its proper fl ingposition. When it is desired to descen the wings 25 are moved so thattheir outer edges are sit-ioned below the aeroplane 16, the win strikingthe upper surface of the wings 25. The motive power is graduallyreduced, and the machine will thus descend and alight without shock orjar to the occupants.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a flying machineof comparatively simple construction wherein every possible exlgencywhich might arise is provided for, the entire machine being so ar-'ranged and proportioned that the least impediment is offered to itsflight. The provision of a plurality of planes in combination with thepropellers disposed with relation thereto as before described renders itpossible for the machine to sustain considerable weight withoutimpairing its efficiencyor flying roclivities. I i

It will 'e apparent that numerous minor modifications may be resorted toin the construction and arrangement of the various parts withoutmaterially departing from the essential features or sacrificing any ofthe advantages of the invention, and I desire it to be understood that Ido not. wish to be restricted to the precise construction illustratedand set forth in the claims, but reserve the right to incorporate suchmodifica; tions as may fairly fall within the scope of the claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed isa i 1. In aflying machine, a longitudinal aeroplane and a plurality of transverseaero planes arranged in superposed relation to thelongitudinalaeroplane, a pivoted wing arranged at the ends of each ofsaid'aeroplanes, in combination with means for angularly positioningsaid wings with relation to the plane of said aeroplane.

2. In a flying machine, a longitudinal aeroplane and a plurality oftransverse aeroplanes arranged in superposed relation to thelongitudinal aeroplane, a pivoted wing arranged at the end ofsaid'aeroplanes, in combination with means for adjusting the wings atthe ends of the longitudinal aeroplane in angular relation to the lineof flight, and additional means for simultaneously positioning the wingsat one end of the transverse aeroplanes in angular relation to the planeof said transverse aeroplanes at the opposite ends thereof.

plane, standards rigidly oonnectin relation to the ongitudina 3. I11 aflying machine, a longitudinal aeroplane and a plurality of transverseaeroplanes arranged in superposed relation to the longitudinalaeroplane, a-pivoted wing arranged at the ends of each of saidaeroplanes, a wing centrally and laterally extending from the oppositesides of the longitudinal aeroplane, in combination with means forangularly positioning the wings at the ends of the longitudinalaeroplane with relation to the line of fli ht, and additional means forsimultaneous y positioning the wings at the ends of the transverseaeroplanes on oppositesides of the longitudinal aeroplane at a'n angleto. the plane of said transverse aeroplanes.

4. In a flying machine, the combination with a wheeled frame, of alongitudinal aeroplane supported on said frame, a lurality of transverseaeroplanes arrange in superposed relation to the longitudinal aerod saiaeroplanes with each other, a pivote wing arranged at the ends of eachof said aeroplanes, and means for angularly positioning said wings withrelation to the plane of said aeroplanes.

5. In a flyin machine, the combination with a wheele frame, of a lo'tudinal aeroplane supported above said rame, a transverse aero lanearran d in superposed fileroplane at the opposite ends thereof, atransverse aero plane disposed centrally above the lon itudinalaeroplane and extending beyc-n the ends of the first named transverseaeroplanes, supporting standards rigidly connecting said aeroplanes toeach other, a rudder pivoted at each end of the longitudinal aeroplane,means for inde ndently operating said rudders to angu arly position thesame with relation to the line of flight, a wing pivotally arranged atthe ends of each of the transverse aeroplanes, and means forsimultaneously positioning the wings at one end of each of thetransverse aeroplanes at an angle with relation to the plane of saidtransverse aeroplanes. 7

G. In a flying machine, the combination with a wheeled frame, of alongitudinal aeroplane 'and a plurality of superposed transverseaeroplanes rigidly connected and supported on said frame, saidtransverse aeroplanes being disposed in the same horizontal plane, atransversely extending wing rigidly secured to-the frame and arrangedbeneath one of the transverse aeroplanes, a

pivoted wing arranged at the opposite'cnds of each of said aeroplanes,the wings at the ends of the longitudinal aeroplane being independentlyoperated to direct the vertical flight of the machine, means foroperating said wings, and additional means for simultaneously operatingthe wings on the opposite ends of the transverse aeroplanes to angularlyposition the same, said wings being aeroplane, and a plurality oftransverse adapted to determine the'longitudinal line of fli ht of themachine.

7. n a fiyin machine, the combination with a wheele frame, of alongitudinal aeroplane and a plurality of superposed transverseaeroplanes rigidly connected and supported on said fran'ze, saidtransverse aeroplanes being arranged above the opposite ends and thecenter of the longitudinal aeroplane, a central stationary wingextending transversely from the longitudinal wing, a transverselymovable wing disposed between the longitudinal aeroplane and one of thetransverse end aeroplanes, a wing pivotally arranged at the oppositeends of said longitudinal aeroplane, and means for independentlypositioning said wings at an angle to the line of flight.

8. In a flying machine, the combination with a wheele frame, of alongitudinal aeroplane and a plurality of transverse aeroplanes rigidlyconnected and supported on said frame arranged in superposed relation tothe. a longitudinal aeroplane, movable wings arranged at the ends ofeach of said aeroplanes, means fo angularly positioning the wings withrelation to the plane of.the aeroplane to direct the line of flight, awing pivotally mounted at one end between one of the transverseaeroplanes and the longitudinal aeroplane. said wing being transverselymo'vable and adapted to maintain the vertical equilibrium of themachine, means for moving said wing, at central transversely extendingwing disposed in substantially the same plane with the longitudinalaeroplane, truss rods connecting each of the aeroplanes with each otherand with said frame, and a plurality of propellers arranged between saidaeroplanes.

9. In a flying machine, the combination with a wheeled frame, of alongitudinal aeroplane a transverse aeroplane arranged in superposedrelation to the'longitiulinal aeroplane at its opposite ends, a centralsuperposed transverse aeroplane extending beyond the ends of the firstnamed transverse aeroplanes, standards rigidly connecting saidaeroplanes to each other, said aeroplanes being supported upon saidframe, truss rods connecting the aeroplanes to each other and to theframe, movable wings arranged at the opposite ends of said aeroplanes,means for angularly positioning,the wings at the ends of thelongitudinal aeroplane, additional means for simultaneously positioningthe wings at the ends of the transverse aeroplane at a transverseinclination to the line of flight, a plurality of propellers carried bythe longitudinal aeroplane, a motor positioned in the frame, and

' operating means between said motor and propellers for rotating thelatter. 10. In a flying machine, a longitudmal aeroplanes arranged insuperposed relation .to the longitudinal aeroplane, a pivoted wingarranged at each side of each of said aeroplanes, means for angularlyadjusting said wings with relation to the planes, in combination with aplurality of propellers mounted on the frame of said machine on eachside thereof, means for operating said propellers, said propellershaving feathering blades, means for simultaneously changing thefeathering point of the blades in the reversal of the propellers, andadditional means for changing the feathering point of the propellerblades on one side of the machine with respect to those upon the otherside thereof.

11. In a flying machine, the combination with a wheeled frame, ofuprights carried by said frame, a longitudinal aeroplane secured betweensaid uprights, front and rear superposed transverse aeroplanes rigidlyconnected to said longitudinal aeroplane, a transverse superposedaeroplane arranged between said uprights and extending beyond the endsof the first named transverse aerop lanes, flight directing membersadjustably mounted in the opposite ends of each of said aeroplanes,means for independently positioning the members in the ends of the 1011-gitudinal aeroplane, means for simultaneously positioning the men'ibersin the ends of the transverse aeroplanes on one side of the longitudinalcenter of the machine, a pivoted transversely movable wing arrangedbetween the forward transverse aeroplane and the longitudinal aeroplane,operating connections adapted to move said wing transversely between theaeroplanes to maintain the transverse equilibrium of the machine, apluralityof propellers carried by the longitudinal aeroplane, a motormounted in said frame, operating connections between the motor shaft andpropeller shaft to rotate said propellers, said propellers beingprovided with feathering blades, and means for simultaneously featheringthe blades of the propellers on one side of the machine.

12. In a flying machine, the combination with a wheeled frame, of anaeroplane structure supportedupon said frame, movable vflightdirectingWings mounted in said structure, means for operating said wings, aplurality of propellers carried by sa d structure, said pro ellers beingprovided with feathering blat es, a motor mounted in said frame,operating connections between said motor and the propeller shafts torotate the latter, a longitudinally movable bar, said bar having itsends movably connected with the actuating arms of the featheringmechanisms, said bars being disposed at opposite sides of the machine,manually operated means for simultaneously operating said bars, andauxiliary operating means carried by said manually operated means forindependently moving said bars to chan e, the feathering point of thepropeller bla es.

13. In a flying machine, the combination with a wheeled frame, of anaero lane structure comprising longitudinal an transverse aeroplanesrigidly connected and supported on said frame, transverse propellershafts mounted on the lon itudinal aeroplane, propellers secured to theopposite ends of said shafts, a motor mounted in said frame, a gearinconnecting the motor shaft to the propel ers shafts to rotate saidpropellers, said propellers each comprising a plurality of featheringblades, the feathering mechanism having a rigidly projecting actuatingarm, a longitudinal reciprocatory bar on the opposite sides of thelongitudinal aeroplane, the ends of said bars having movable engagementwith said actuating arms, an operating lever pivotally mounted in theframe to simultaneously actuate said bars, an aux iliary operating leverpivotally mounted on the opposite sides of the first named level, a bellcrank ivoted on the longitudinal aeroplane, sai bell crank havingmovable engagement with said bar, a connecting rod between the bellcrank and auxiliary operating levers, said auxiliary levers beingadapted to independently move said bars to change the feathering pointof the propeller blades, the first named operating lever being adaptedto simultaneously move said bars to feather the blades of each ofthepropellers, and driving connections between said motor and the wheelshafts.

14. 111 a flying machine, the combination with a wheeled frame, of anaeroplane struc: ture supported 11 on said frame, a plurality ofoscillatory flig t directing wings mounted in each side of saidstructure, an oscillatory flight directing wing mounted in each end ofsaid structure, means for simultaneously .tions between said motor andthe propeller shafts to rotate said propellers, a longitudinallypositioned reciprocating bar disposed 'on opposite sides of saidstructure, said propellers being in'ovided with feathering blades, anactuating arm extending radially from said propellers adapted to actuatethe feathering nn-chanism, the ends of said bars having movableconnection with said arms and adapted to actuate the same, means forsimultaneously reciprocating the bars on the opposite sides of saidstructure to change the feathering point of the propeller blades, andmeans for actuating the bar at one side of said structure independentlyof the bar at the other side of said structure.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my signature in the presence oftwowitnesses.

cuaanns w. VAN \VINKLE.

Witnesses:

W. H. SMrrn, L. O. FARRELL.

